Prayagraj, Aug 25 Taking suo moto cognisance of the plight of more than 200 schoolchildren, the Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh forest department to issue a no-objection certificate for the construction of a 1.6-kilometre road stretch leading to a school in Hamirpur.
The state government on Monday apprised a bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshiti Shailendra, which took suo moto cognisance of the matter, that it had sanctioned Rs 1.81 crore for the construction of the road, but the crucial 1.6-km stretch fell on forest land, and the construction work required an NOC from the forest department.
The bench was also told that the state government from time to time made efforts to obtain the NOC, but in vain.
The state government said the stretch required a cement road considering its terrain, and sought more time to obtain the NOC from the forest department.
The bench said, “In view of the submissions made, we expect the forest department to issue the requisite NOC not at its general pace but expeditiously.”
The proceedings were initiated after the court took suo moto cognisance of a newspaper report highlighting how more than 200 schoolchildren from Chandupur village along with their parents walked 5 km to the district magistrate’s office to protest against the lack of a road to their school.
The court observed that the children walking 5 km as part of the agitation “reflects the magnitude of difficulties being faced by them”.
The court also directed that the Union of India, through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the divisional forest officer, Hamirpur division, be impleaded as respondents in the matter.
The court directed that a copy of the order be sent to the additional solicitor general of India, who would inform the divisional forest officer to ensure that the requisite NOC is issued “without any further loss of time”.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 28.
